AD 2016-23-04

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax 912 F2, 912 F3, 912 F4, 912 S2, 912 S3, 912 S4, 914 F2, 914 F3, and 914 F4 reciprocating engines. This AD requires replacement of any affected carburetor float with a float that is eligible for installation. This AD was prompted by a report of a quality escape in the manufacturing of the affected floats. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the carburetor float, failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of the airplane.

Final rule; request for comments.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

[[Page 83657]]

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2016-23-04 BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG (formerly BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG, Bombardier-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG, and Bombardier-Rotax GmbH): Amendment 39-18711; Docket No. FAA-2016-9103; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-18-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective December 7, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax model 912 F2, 912 F3, 912 F4, 912 S2, 912 S3, and 912 S4 engines, and Rotax 914 F2, 914 F3, and 914 F4 engines with:
(1) Engine serial numbers (S/Ns) listed in Planning Information, Paragraph 1, Criterion A, of BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) ASB-912-069R1/ASB-914-051R1 (one document), Revision 1, dated July 22, 2016.
(2) Carburetor part numbers (P/Ns) and S/Ns listed in Planning Information, Paragraph 1, Criterion B, of BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG ASB ASB-912-069R1/ASB-914-051R1 (one document), Revision 1, dated July 22, 2016; or
(3) Carburetor floats, P/N 861185, that do not have 3 dots molded on the surface, and installed after May 9, 2016.

(d) Reason

This AD was prompted by a report of a quality escape in the manufacturing of the affected carburetor floats. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the carburetor float, failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of the airplane.

(e) Actions and Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(1) Within 25 flight hours (FHs) or 30 days after the effective dateof this AD, replace any affected carburetor float with a float that is eligible for installation in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Paragraph 3, of BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax ASB ASB-912-069R1/ASB-914-051R1 (one document), Revision 1, dated July 22, 2016.
(2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install on any engine a carburetor float, P/N 861185, delivered between May 8, 2016, and July 17, 2016, that does not have 3 dots molded into the surface. If the delivery date is not documented, do not install the part.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.

(g) Related Information

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Michael Richardson-Bach, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7747; fax: 781-238-7199; email: michael.richardson-bach@faa.gov.
(2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2016-0144, dated July 19, 2016 (corrected July 25, 2016), for more information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2016-9103.

(h) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Alert Service Bulletin ASB-912- 069R1/ASB-914-051R1 (one document), Revision 1, dated July 22, 2016.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG service information identified in thisAD, contact BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG, Rotaxstrasse 1, A-4623 Gunskirchen, Austria; phone: +43 7246 6010; fax: +43 7246 601 9130; email: airworthiness@brp.com; Internet: http://www.FLYROTAX.com.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
(5) You may view this service information at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

Comments Invited

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-9103; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-18-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this AD.

Discussion

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA),which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA AD 2016-0144, dated July 19, 2016 (corrected July 25, 2016) (referred to hereinafter as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

Due to a quality escape in the manufacturing process of certain floats, Part Number (P/N) 861185, a partial separation of the float outer skin may occur during engine operations. Separated particles could lead to a restriction of the jets in the carburetor, possibly reducing or blocking the fuel supply to the affected cylinder.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to in- flight engine shutdown and forced landing, possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and injury to the occupants.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-9103.

Related ServiceInformation Under 1 CFR Part 51

BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG has issued Alert Service Bulletin ASB- 912-069R1/ASB-914-051R1 (one document), Revision 1, dated July 22, 2016. The service information describes procedures for removal and replacement of the carburetor float. This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of Austria, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the European Community, EASA has notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of thesame type design. This AD requires removal and replacement of the affected carburetor float.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

No domestic operators use this product. Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for prior public comment are unnecessary and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 0 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 4 hours per engine to search maintenance records, disassemble the carburetor, and replace the float. The average labor rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $0.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in ``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, Icertify this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, and
(4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.